The Difference in Companions
He had not informed Seungmin about Woojin, nor what he'd attempted to do before he left.
He wasn't entirely too sure, if he was comfortable telling the beta-alpha about such a traumatizing moment in his life. At least, not yet. Maybe he would, one day. When he felt ready to open up about it. Talk about it. When he was ready to find closure. Of course, he would prefer to know Woojin was no longer amongst the living. Nor the living dead, to find true closure. But Seungmin had rather quickly earned his trust. And he had started to relax. Knowing his wolf had been correct. He was a good one.
He was pack.
He often flinched. And put instant distance between them, whenever Seungmin would draw too near. And, he was constantly looking over his shoulder. His ears straining, moving subtly as a show of this intense listening. He would often stare at the door, and jump when there was the slightest sound or movement. Seungmin showed great concern. When he would put his hand on Minho's shoulder in show of concern, he would flinch away. Seungmin would then back away.
A stark contrast to Woojin.
Seungmin wasn't at all aware of what happened to Minho before he'd met him. The omega not only older than him, but rather closed off. He hadn't even talked about what he had done before the zombies came. And he most certainly wasn't telling him just what it was that was haunting him so. He would have liked to know what caused the omega to be so flighty and frightened, but he didn't. Giving the omega that space and privacy. When he was ready to come to him about it, he would listen without judgement.
Though, he doubted Minho was afraid of zombies.
How could he be, when he had to clearly kill them to leave wherever it was he'd fled? Unless, he lived here the entire time. But Seungmin doubted as such. And he has seen Minho take on only a few straggler zombies that wandered through the property. So clearly, he wasn't afraid of the zombies. Likely, it was another wolf. One that he likely parted with in bad terms. Just what they were, Seungmin didn't know. He would find out, one day. This he was confident in. And based on how much Minho flinched, it was likely the other wolf was an alpha.
He wondered if Minho would be comfortable around alphas ever again. It would be rather sad to see Minho without a proper mate. True, omegas didn't have to be with alphas. It was just, so natural. How they were complete opposites, yet completed one another so well. And Minho didn't seem at all put off by the idea of alphas. Had even said he couldn't wait to find his alpha mate. As if he were so certain his mate was an alpha. He would suppose that that would be enough for him, to know Minho would be comfortable with alphas. He supposed it just mattered who they were. And, how they made Minho feel.
And Seungmin was his buffer, now.
And Minho steadily grew comfortable around Seungmin. After he would see it was Seungmin nearby, he would relax. Seeming to gain his confidence back. Seungmin did slightly worry, but he knew there was nothing he could do. Not until Minho opened up to him about it. For now, Seungmin had something else he would love to do.
After getting the fire started for the evening, Seungmin sat on the couch. The days were growing shorter. He was glad they'd stockpiled their food and firewood. They'd need it for the coming winter. Autumn was on its exit, and winter on its way in. It was going to be a long and harsh winter. But if they made it, then that was good. He had been somewhat surprised Minho had intended to leave the home, to make for a safe zone come spring. Seungmin didn't mind. And with his inner wolf practically screaming at him that Minho was his packmate, he fully intended to join him. He'd go where Minho went. He wasn't breaking their pack up, if he could help it. And, he hoped it would lead them to more of their pack.
Once he was comfortable, he opened up one of a few books he'd found on his journey south. There were initials on the inside page. K.Y. He wasn't sure who they had been, if they had survived. He hoped they had found peace, whomever they were.
With little hesitation, Seungmin began to read and study.
//
Minho carefully sat beside Seungmin, knowing the beta-alpha was the right companion for him at this time.
Curious enough, Minho checked to see what book Seungmin had picked up to read. He supposed the apocalypse made for excellent times to read, and enjoy written media. Maybe he would, if he ever found the time to raid bookstores and libraries for good reading material. But, that was often the last thing on anyone's minds when it came to zombies. Maybe once they had established their new future with safe zones and trades. Eventually, such things as books would become coveted as well. He tilted his head, taking in the title. After a moment, he spoke, "Didn't think you'd take up medicine."
Seungmin blinked, looking up from the medical book to look at him. After blinking a moment, he replied, "I never really had the chance to determine my future. All I knew, was I wanted to play baseball. I found these on my journey southward. In a house that was clearly cleared of everything. Must have been left behind. They were perfectly stacked in the middle of the floor. The original owner clearly had survived to that point. If they're still alive, I wish them the best of luck. In these new times, we're going to need doctors. And while even I haven't had the proper education, we have to make do with what we have." He shrugged, gesturing to the book, "Is it really so bad I get on the field training, and self-teach myself medicine?"
Minho smirked, "No need to explain that deep." He nodded, "But I get it. We'll need doctors as much as we need medicine. Eventually if we get stabilized enough, whatever omegas are left will mate. And they'll need doctors to help with their pregnancies."
Seungmin smirked, "Among other things. I found these for a reason. Guess the original owner said he or she learned all they could. And now, was ready to start their very rudimentary training. Said the wolf who found them next, could use them. I'll keep them for now. Once I am as confident as they were, I'll maybe do the same. Books can only teach you so much. It's getting your hands into actual bleeding guts, that will be what saves lives."
Minho smirked, now sipping some warm tea he'd made, "The means justifies the end." He shrugged, "If you want, you can do both. If another zombie comes stumbling across our home, I'll be sure to incapacitate them for you to study. They may be zombies, but they were wolves once. They'll still have most of the basic inner workings."
Seungmin smirked, "If you want. I'll not stop you."
Minho nodded, before turning to stare into the fire. The light reflecting into his very dark blue eyes. Wondering how others were doing in the coming cold. How his alpha was doing. As he sipped his tea, he wondered if he'd ever tell his alpha about Woojin. Or, what he'd tried to do. The more Minho considered, the more of a conclusion he arrived at. He would. He wasn't sure when, but he would. He would have to. So his alpha knew what troubled him, and to comfort him. Promise him protection. And if Woojin still drew breath, fight him for Minho's sake and honor. True, Woojin hadn't penetrated. But he nearly had. And that was, and would be all that mattered to him and his alpha.
Minho pushed such thoughts away for the time being. He was rather proud of Seungmin. Not only for being such a good pack mate and respecting his boundaries and need for space, but also what he was trying to do. He wasn't wrong. They would need doctors in this new world. The old ones were gone. Having been some of the first victims to fall to zombies. It was often the civilian emergency services that suffered first. Along with normal citizens. Police were called to the scene, and were attacked. Fire fighters called to try and put out the fires from all the chaos, would also fall victim. And all the doctors would fall as well. Either through those that were bitten and turning, or dead and turning as they were transported.
Or even already at the hospitals.
It was the military that usually fell later. And, not as easily. They did not go out quietly. The military fell with a small whimper. Unlike the screams of the civilian service members. And even then, there were survivors of all types that could help shape the future. Any surviving doctors would be coveted. Just like omegas. And any surviving soldier, was also an added bonus. Someone who knew how to survive just about anything thrown at them. Omegas were never put into such professions. Nurses, sure. But other things weren't ideal. So Minho could only really guess.
But here was Seungmin, studying material now more than likely outdated. Just so he could try and save as many lives as he could in such times. He'd be a doctor. And he would do all he could for those around him. Minho supposed he had some zombies to take out, and bring in. He did want Seungmin to do his best. And Minho could only encourage him. He was dependent on Seungmin for protection and safety. The least he could do, was support his attempts at becoming a new zombie world doctor.
They'd become invaluable, the two of them.
//
Minho was just barely woken up, when a book was suddenly pressed into his hands.
He blinked, trying to understand everything. He'd fallen asleep on the couch beside Seungmin. His wolf sensing safety and security with the beta nearby. Plus, the cold was making him seek out what warmth he could. He wasn't sure he'd cuddle with Seungmin, but he had a feeling he just may. Mostly for warmth. He hoped the younger beta understood it was just him as an omega, seeking him out as a beta-alpha for warmth during the winter. And based on the look Seungmin sometimes boasted when Minho apologized for sleeping on him, told him the beta understood. Seungmin had also made it clear, he wasn't entirely interested in repopulating with an omega.
Fair enough.
Seungmin spoke, "My eyes are burning. I need to blink. But, I can't stop studying. I want to be a good doctor. I swear, I'll be a good doctor for our pack. We need new doctors in this new world."
Minho blinked, before he offered Seungmin a soft yet understanding smile, "I know. How far have you gotten?"
Seungmin huffed, "I reread chapter one as many times as I could. I need you to quiz me. See if my brain retained any information."
Minho blinked, looking down at the thick medical book. After a moment, he replied, "Seungminnie, it doesn't work like that. We're in no real rush to make you a doctor. Winter is coming. We're not exactly going to be leaving much until the snow melts. We just have to be careful when we go out hunting, and getting firewood. And water for baths and cooking. The way we used to, before we built cities. You shouldn't deprive yourself of sleep doing it this way."
Seungmin sighed, "It's just the first chapter, hyung. Besides, I only want to see what I managed to remember. After this, we can go and get some sleep." Minho hummed, even as Seungmin gently toyed with his fingers. He bit his bottom lip, "Hyung, the nights are getting colder. Especially for you. I know you're not comfortable. I don't know what you went through before we met, but I worry for you. Perhaps just for the winter, we can share a bed? I can keep you warm, and safe. But, only if you're comfortable."
Minho blinked, watching Seungmin. Digesting his words. After mulling it over, his wolf let him know it was okay. To take the warmth. Seungmin wouldn't do what Woojin nearly did. He was trustworthy. Minho nodded slowly, "I'd appreciate that."
Seungmin smirked, "If it makes you feel better, you're not my type. I get omegas are now coveted for their ability to have many pups, but-" He shrugged, "I can't really see myself being a biological parent. There will be pups I and my future alpha mate come across, that we can unofficially adopt. And we can raise them right in this new world."
Minho smiled softly, "Sounds like a plan to me. And no, I am not offended. While we should be willing to accept any mate we can. I believe it in my soul that Luna gave me, that we're meant for the mates we've yet to find and meet."
Seungmin smiled softly, "Agreed. Now-." He gestured, "Quiz me, omega."
Minho huffed, rolling his eyes, "Asshole."
Seungmin smirked, winking, "But you like it anyway."
Minho smirked, shaking his head. But, he didn't argue. Instead, he went through the first chapter. And picked random shit to quiz Seungmin on. Most of it very foreign to him. All the technical and scientific terms were tongue twisters for certain. He could never understand why in the hell medical professionals made these long ass, weird ass names for things. The common wolf would never understand them. So why the hell name them weird names? Call it what other wolves call it. Less confusion that way.
But, he was also an omega. He would have never been a medical professional. So, he would never understand. Thus, he wouldn't really ask. He was somewhat pleasantly surprised by how much Seungmin had managed to remember. But then, he was a beta. They were some relatively smart cookies. It was little wonder most professions were handled by betas. Not just for their lack of cycles, and low levels of hormones and pheromones. There were of course things Seungmin got incorrect. Or, he didn't recall them at this very late hour. But that was alright. It was a start. After finishing his little quiz, Seungmin agreed it was time they got some sleep. It was the first night Minho willingly slept beside Seungmin.
And he was grateful for it.